Data Librarian

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position in US, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

About the program:

The Research, Data and Impact team (RDI) fosters a culture of research excellence and ensures high quality research across WRI. The Research Integrity team (part of RDI) provides guidance and mentoring to staff and oversees the peer review process for research products, which include both traditional documents and interactive applications. The WRI Library provides access to research materials (data, journal &books) for the whole WRI network.

Job highlight:

You will integrate equity into your work.

Reporting to the WRI's Director of Library Services and collaborate with Data Lab and Research Integrity staff. You will spearhead the development and implementation of secure and efficient research data management and workflows. You will work closely with researchers and stakeholders to promote data literacy, support responsible data practices, and ensure compliance with institutional, funder, and federal requirements. The ideal candidate will possess advanced knowledge of the research data lifecycle, and a deep understanding of data services increasingly supported in research libraries.

What you will do:

Service Design and Development (50%): -

• Develop and maintain metadata standards and schemas to facilitate data discovery and retrieval
• Develop and maintain standards to ensure data quality, integrity and security
• Oversee the organization, classification, and cataloguing of data assets according to established standards and protocols
• Assist researchers in meeting security, compliance, and collaboration requirements

Development and Training (30%): -

• Cultivate relationships with the research community to facilitate collaboration
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and tools related to data management and recommend improvements or enhancements to existing systems and processes
• Organize and deliver training sessions for researchers on data-related topics and good data management practices
• Provide guidance on data repositories, successful research protocols, and data access

Service Support(20%):-

• Build and optimize data workflows by identifying requirements and troubleshooting issues
• Provide support to researchers using cloud resources for data storage and management
• Communicate project status and updates to researchers and team members promptly

What you will need:

• Education: You have a completed bachelor's degree in library science from an ALA-accredited library school or equivalent or an advanced related degree. Relevant work experience is accepted in lieu of a degree
• Experience: You have 3+ years of relevant experience
• Proficiency in research data management, data description, and curation.
• Familiarity with FAIR and CARE principles
• Knowledge of data ontologies, APIs, Python, and SQL.
• Experience with data analytics tools and software.
• Experience in a specialized library or research data management program.
• Familiarity with open science and reproducible research practices.
• Experience with CKAN, DCAT, or other popular open-source data catalogs.
• Languages: Fluency in English, both written and oral
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: US salary range is between 69,000 and 78,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of May 30, 2025. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of qualified applications.

We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter in addition to your resume.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure
• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people's lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyse change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Our mission and values:

WRI's mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.